Will smiled tightly. "Miracles do happen. Elizabeth taught me that."
Parks stared at his friend, and pointed to the leather pouch. "Can you tell me what it is?"
Will shrugged his good shoulder. "I hardly know myself. Now, go get my sister, and entertain the others downstairs."
"Easily done. Oh, and I hear there's supposed to be the most spectacular full lunar eclipse tonight. Not long to go in fact. I'll just go find my telescope."
"Good. Oh, and Geoffrey."
His brows raised in surprise. He rarely if ever called him by his first name. "Yes, Will?"
"Don't open this door unless I let you in. No matter what."
Parks frowned. "I say, Will, you're not--"
"It will be fine. I promise. Just give me your word, and send Vevina in to me."
Parks visibly relaxed. "All right. If Viv is here, I won't worry."
"Thank you, my friend."
"Don't mention it. Just be well, Will."
Will nodded, and went back to sit vigil at his wife's bedside.
Chapter Twenty-four
Vevina came into the sickroom to see her brother a short time later.
"Did you get the things?" Will asked, sounding almost nervous.
"Yes." She indicated a small leather pouch at her waist.
"Has Stewart returned with the oak wood?"
"He's on his way up."
"Good. Please hurry and get the beef."
Stewart came in with a large log, and moved over to the fire.
"No!"
Stewart was so startled he dropped it on the hearthstones. "I was just—"
"It's all right. I'm sorry I yelled. I'll do it myself later. Thank you."
"Look, Will, you've been under a lot of strain, you haven't eaten, slept…"
"I'll be fine," he said in a more relaxed tone. "Go downstairs with Parks and the others."
Stewart shook his head. "I don't want to leave you alone."
"I won't be. Elizabeth is here." He stroked his unconscious wife's cheek. "Vevina will be back with my dinner in a second."
"Oh, good then." Stewart visibly relaxed.
"Thank you for everything."
"Don't mention it." He patted the young man on the back.
Stewart waited until his wife returned with a succulent-looking rare piece of beef and some potatoes and carrots.
"Try to get him to eat as much as he can," he whispered to her.
"I will." She gave her husband a warm kiss.
He closed the door behind him as he left.
She put the tray down, and watched Will as he fiddled about in his wife's jewel box and brought it over to the small table by the side of the bed.
Then he locked the door. "We need to get ready."
She looked at him in surprise. "What—"
"Take off her chemise. Cut it with this knife."
"Will, I can't—"
"Do it, please."
He removed his shirt, trousers and drawers, until he was stark naked.
Vevina's eyes widened. "Will, what on earth are you—"
He went over to the dinner plate, and began to mark himself with the blood which was pooling underneath the meat, drawing strange symbols on himself like--
Vevina's eyes widened even further, this time in horror. "Will, for God's sake! What--"
"Gods. Exactly. Be still, Vevina. It will be all right. Only a few more minutes to go."
Vevina felt a warm wave of peace wash over her despite what she had just seen. "Very well. What else do you need me to do?"
"Take the shells and stones, and put them around her in a circle. Put the flowers into her hands, and stand over by the hearth."
She did as she was told. When she looked up, she saw her brother had put a gold circlet around his neck. It looked similar to the metal plates the men in the army wore to identify their regiment, but was decorated like no insignia she had ever seen.
Etched into the gold were five symbols, a rod, a circle, what looked like a huge stewing pot, and a sword, two on either side of an object which looked like an oak tree.
"It is called a torc, and all ancient Celts wore them. This one is unique. The staff signifies magic, authority, power, the coin wealth and the material world. The cauldron represents love and mercy, the sword conflict and justice. They are equals and opposites, showing the duality of human nature," he explained, touching the golden necklet.
"I see, Will, but, well, how do you know all this—"
He seemed to ignore his sister's question.
"The oak tree represents perfect love, as does the rainbow in Christian thought. It was sentimental to have it made so, I know, but though I am a hardened warrior, and initiated into the darker mysteries of the universe, with all its destructive forces, I would like to believe that love is the highest power."